INDUSTRYNEWS
AWARD FOR PLASTICS INNOVATION AND DESIGN 2016
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THE PRESTIGIOUS HORNERS Award is run jointly with the British Plastics Federation( BPF) and the Worshipful Company of Horners( an ancient guild and livery company of the City of London) and is awarded for innovation in plastics design and manufacture or in the processing of plastics.
The prestigious award is believed to be the longest established Design Award for Plastics in the world. The award is for any polymer based product and includes polymer related machines or processes. It is a cornerstone of
the Horners many activities supporting Design and Education in the Plastics Industry. The first competition was held in 1947, attracting some 14 entries. Since that point the award has gone from strength to strength.
Entries will be judged on design innovation, demonstrable commercial potential and environmental advantage.
This award offers an excellent opportunity for UK companies( designers, manufacturers or material suppliers) to demonstrate their expert skills, knowledge and innovation within the plastics industry.
‘ the award has gone from strength to strength’
The awards are now open- Closing date is 31st July 2016.
http:// www. bpf. co. uk / Events / The _ Horners _ Award / Default. aspx
Calls for investment in neglected rural roads
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A NEW REPORT BY THE Federation of Small Businesses( FSB) shows that half of all small firms think the UK’ s roads and public transport system have deteriorated in recent years.
FSB found small businesses are overwhelmingly reliant on roads, with nine in 10 firms( 89 %) placing high value on the network. Rural businesses are even more likely to rely on roads as they often report little or no access to public transport links like rail or buses.
The FSB report,‘ Going the extra mile: Connecting businesses and rural communities,’ demonstrates how congestion, poorly maintained local roads, and a lack of regional strategic planning are all combining to pose a significant economic barrier to economic growth, particularly in rural areas. Mike Cherry, National Chairman at the Federation of Small Businesses( FSB), said:“ The Government is investing in transport but the lion’ s share goes to big flagship projects on the strategic road network. Most small businesses mainly rely on their local roads and public transport, so there is a strong case to prioritise investment in these smaller projects, which will help to alleviate congestion and bottlenecks.”
www. fsb. org. uk
SME Businesses Rise as Start-ups Spring Up
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OWNING YOUR OWN business is as popular as ever. Britain’ s start-up scene is showing no signs of slowing down. As trends change and workers become fed up of the corporate world, small businesses are being founded as new found entrepreneurs want to become their own boss.
600,000 new companies were started last year, a rise by over
3 % from the previous. These emerging businesses contain the potential to grow and become the bedrock of our changing economy. On paper over 99 % of UK businesses are SME’ s, employing 15.6 million people with a combined annual turnover of £ 1.8 trillion.
Since the financial crash in 2008, demand for alternative finance is higher than it ever has been, as banks are unable to fully assist with the needs of young and emerging SME businesses. For 12 years, Business Enterprise Fund( BEF) has grown to cover Yorkshire and the North East of England and offers loans up to £ 150,000 for new and growing businesses. 2000 jobs have been safeguarded or created as a
result, amounting to nearly £ 7 million in the last year alone, £ 1.8 million of which in Start Up Loans.
Source: www. befund. org
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